Glenn Murray strikes twice for Crystal Palace to end Wednesday's run

Saturday 1 September 2012 18.33 EDT
First published on Saturday 1 September 2012 18.33 EDT

Glenn Murray scored twice on his return from injury as Crystal Palace secured their first league win of the season and ended Sheffield Wednesday's remarkable 20-match unbeaten run.

Palace, looking to avoid losing their first four league matches for the first time since 1925, made the perfect start when their new signing Yannick Bolasie picked out Murray for the striker to volley home inside the first minute.

Wednesday almost hit back immediately through Michail Antonio and, as the half went on, they looked the more likely to score. But they had to wait until just after the break to get back on level terms as Antonio headed home from Miguel Llera's corner.

Palace found it difficult to respond until Murray was awarded a penalty 17 minutes from time following a challenge from Mark Beevers. However, the referee Rob Lewis changed his mind after consulting his assistant.

Murray then went close with a header before a brilliant piece of skill from the England Under-21 winger Wilfried Zaha set up the striker to stroke home the winner from close range.

Wednesday's manager, Dave Jones, blamed the referee's indecisiveness over the penalty for handing Palace the momentum, saying: "It's unbelievable – the referee turned the whole game. You can say he got it right in the end but he whipped up a frenzy with their fans and after that every challenge we made seemed to go against us.

"This is a difficult place to come to without them being given a helping hand as well."

"He was fantastic. I feel very strongly for Glenn Murray because I was the one who brought him to the club and he put in some incredible work for the team. I believe we will get better and stronger now: we showed some real character to win the game.

"We were low on confidence and playing against a side on a long unbeaten run. I think our performance showed exactly what this club is all about."